Step back in time and explore a unique piece of post-Civil War African American history right here in Raleigh with the Emancipation Day Trolley tour of Oberlin Village. On the crisp Saturday morning of January 3, historians Carmen Wimberly Cauthen and Cheryl Williams will lead an enlightening journey through a community steeped in legacy and strife, resilience and triumph. As the City of Raleigh's official announcement details, this guided tour is not just a simple stroll; it's a voyage through Oberlin Village's vibrant lifeblood, from its roots to its branches spreading far into the chapters of African American sovereignty and self-determination.
The tours will run from 10 to 11 a.m. and then again from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., accommodating folks of all ages, from those who wield canes to tots who have only just begun to walk; there's a wealth of knowledge to be gathered and shared. It's a moment to grasp the significance of Emancipation Day by threading through the physical spaces where freed slaves forged a community, now illuminated by the passionate narrations of Cauthen and Williams, who carry with them not only the sagacity that comes from years of study but also an unyielding commitment to the preservation of this history. Tickets are sensibly priced at $15 for adults while children are welcomed at $6, making it an accessible educational experience for all families.
Oberlin Village, once a center of African American life, remains an important part of Raleigh’s history. The City of Raleigh says the trolley tours offer visitors an opportunity to learn about the community’s past and the stories that helped shape it.
Those interested in joining the tour can visit Raleigh’s official event page for more information and to reserve a spot.
